MINUTES
Graduate & Professional Student Assembly
GPSA Discussion Meeting
Monday, August 29th, 2011
Bache Audiorium, Malott Hall
5:30–7:00 P.M.

I. Welcome and Introductions (E. Cortens)

E. Cortens called the meeting to order at 5:35 pm and thanked everyone for coming.

Voting members present: K. Albert, B. Alkemeyer, S. An, N. Baran, Y. Chen, E. Cortens, C. Ferkinhoff, M. Hawkins, J. Keach, A. Nash, J. Pacelli, R. Robbins, E. Smith, M. Tootill, M. White

Voting members late: R. Adra

Voting members absent: Y. Izrayelit

1. Introduction of voting members, 5 min.

Each voting member stood up and introduced themselves.

2. Kent Hubbell, Dean of Students, 5 min

Dean Hubbell said that he has seen the GPSA become a more powerful force on campus during his ten-year tenure as Dean of Students. The Graduate Community Initiative is a living document that supports graduate students and guides administrative policies. The nature of the partnership between the GPSA and the SA has grown as well. Undergraduates need to interact with graduate students in order to envision their futures. Undergraduates can also enhance the lives of graduate students in turn, bringing aspects of intellectualism and vivaciousness to graduate students. The GPSA should take all steps possible to support the positive relationship between graduates and undergraduates. As an additional note, the former M&T Bank in Willard Straight is now a joint office for both the GPSA and the SA.

II. Reports of Officers and Standing Committees

1. Executive Committee, 10 min.

a. President’s Updates (E. Cortens)

E. Cortens said there has been some interesting progress in the Graduate Community Initiative (GCI). He recommends that everyone read the GCI. It was prepared by the GPSA in Spring, 2007 and remains a touchstone for this university. Many initiatives in the GCI have already been passed and it has been taken seriously by the administration.

E. Cortens also said that there would be a library workshop on Zotero and Mendeley at Mann Library.

E. Cortens also asked if anyone would be interested in attending this year’s Ivy Summit, held at MIT.

b. Committee Staffing Procedure (M. Hawkins)

M. Hawkins introduced himself as the Vice President of Operations. He said the GPSA is comprised of 19 members who vote on graduate student issues each year. The Office of Assemblies advises the GPSA. There are also various internal committees responsible for working on issues germane to their particular committees. Anyone interested in joining one of the 35 GPSA committees should fill out a simple online application. The Operations and Staffing Committee will then approve appointments. Once “staffed”, you will represent the GPSA in your committee. If interested in a committee, fill out the interest sheet being passed around. A member of the O&S Committee will contact you with the online application form. The deadline for applications is September 30th. The goal is to staff 100% of all graduate positions on university committees. People will be told of their committee position by mid October.

C. Ferkinhoff asked whether people who sign up on the sheet today also have to fill out the online application.

M. Hawkins said yes, they also have to fill out the online application.

c. Field Representatives (N. Baran)

N. Baran thanked everyone for attending and went over field representative expectations. This includes attending all GPSA meetings, providing updates to constituents regarding GPSA events and initiatives, attending at least one “area” summit each academic year (where voting members meet with field representatives), electing GPSA voting members, officers, and committee chairs, and serving on a GPSA and/or university committee.

N. Baran also encouraged all field representatives to sign in. She asked all field representatives to contact her at gpsa-evp@assembly.cornell.edu. Anyone interested in being a field representative should contact her as well. If field representatives don’t feel they are being effectively engaged, don’t hesitate to talk to executives.

2. Standing Committees, 15 min.

a. Appropriations (C. Heckman)

C. Heckman, the chair of the Appropriations Committee asked if anyone wondered what the 38-dollar charge is on graduate bursar bills. He said that this charge goes to his committee for the betterment of graduate student activities in general. To advise how this money should be sent, he encourages students to become engaged in the GPSA itself or to join his committee.

b. Communications (S. An)

S. An said he is the Chair of the Communications Committee, the voice of the GPSA. The goal of the committee is to spread the word about GPSA and other relevant news and events. Their primary responsibilities are orientation, Facebook.com/CornellGPSA, GPSAINFO-L@cornell.edu, and CornellGPSA.com. He is also collecting ideas for how to increase diversity within the GPSA.

c. Finance Commission (M. Tootill)

M. Tootill said the GPSAFC is responsible for funding over 200 registered graduate and professional student organizations on the Cornell campus. Meetings will be held once a month during the fall and spring semesters, with dinner provided. Being a part of the commission means you get to play an important part in granting money to groups who put on important events throughout the year. You will also obtain good experience in finance.

She is seeking representatives from the Johnson School, Veterinary Medicine, Law, Humanities, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Biological Sciences. Email her at mst88@cornell.edu.

d. Student Advocacy (R. Robbins)

R. Robbins said the purpose of the Student Advocacy Committee is to provide students with a forum for a host of issues. Last year, they formed a mental health focus group. The objective this year is to execute several forums that each address a different pertinent issue. The format would be a dinner held at the Big Red Barn. This will provide an informal environment that encourages solution-oriented dialogue. Send her an email if you are interested in joining.

e. Programming Board (Y. Chen)

Y. Chen said the Programming Board, formerly the Events Committee, is the social arm of the GPSA. Last year, they put together mixers, bowling, Grad Ball, and other events. They are trying to become a more independent committee as a social group for graduate students. Their goal is to make life less boring and lonely for graduate and professional students. There will be an info session on Thursday, September 1st from 5–6 pm at the Physical Sciences Building, Room 401. Apply for his committee on the committees staffing website.

II. Approval of the Minutes

1. April 18, 2011, 2 min.

C. Ferkinhoff said that section six, concerning the communications chair nominations should read: ‘C. Ferkinhoff was nominated and C. Ferkinhoff declined.’ There was no objection to the changes. Changes approved.

There was no objection to approval of minutes. The minutes were approved.

III. New Business

1. Election of two masters seats - M.Eng and At-Large, 20 min.

E. Cortens opened nominations for master’s students in the engineering program. There were no nominations. Then there were nominations for the at-large master’s seat. Sean Murphy was nominated, but declined his nomination. William Hill was nominated and accepted his nomination. Crystal Wilson nominated herself as well. Nominations were closed.

W. Hill gave a one-minute speech about himself.

C. Wilson gave a one-minute speech about herself.

E. Cortens said the engineering seat would remain vacant for the time being. All those with placards were given ballots and cast their votes for the at-large master’s seat.

IV. Break Out Sessions, by division: Humanities, Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Professional Schools, 20 min.

C. Cortens said they would break into five groups to focus on two focus questions.

The first question is “what first got you involved in campus governance?”

The second question is “what do you think would be the most effective way to structure these break out sessions going forward?”

After discussing these two questions, the groups engaged in an open forum amongst themselves.

1. Break Out Session Reports, 6 min.

E. Cortens announced that C. Wilson would be the new at-large representative for the master’s program.

A. Nash said the Humanities group thought the break out session should discuss voting items ahead of time and news from individual departments.

R. Robbins said Social Sciences discussed having more issue-focused conversations with issues proposed in emails beforehand.

E. Smith said Biological Sciences wanted more time to discuss issues. They proposed emailing an agenda beforehand to members so they can get back to their constituents and bring their ideas to the group.

C. Ferkinhoff said Physical Sciences agreed with many of the aforementioned suggestions.

M. White said the Professional Students had shorter tenures so they are more eager to be involved with the GPSA. They discussed the goals of the break out sessions and the issues unique to attending graduate school when your degree is in a shorter time frame.

V. Open Forum (2 min)

Miki Kunitake said that on April 29, 2011, the motorcycle parking fee went up significantly. He said the parking structure has also changed for handicapped vehicles and other modes of transportation. He asked the GPSA for more clarification and assistance in transportation issues.

E. Cortens said many more graduates than undergraduates drive on campus, so this is a big grad student issue. He also mentioned that both the Employee Assembly and the University Assembly had presentations planned regarding these issues.

Motion to adjourn. Seconded. E. Cortens adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m.

E. Cortens said the meeting in two weeks is at a different place. GPSA members should watch for an email.

Respectfully submitted,

Allison Bazinet